Judge orders Trump to answer BBC lawyers' questions by December 11

A federal judge on Thursday ordered President Donald Trump to answer questions from BBC lawyers in a deposition by December 11 in his $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the broadcaster. U.S. Magistrate Judge Enjolique Lett set the deadline at a hearing in Miami.

Trump could face penalties, including dismissal of his lawsuit, if he does not comply, unless the period for gathering information in the case is extended. That process began in February and is scheduled to end December 18.

The scheduling dispute followed the cancellation of an October 16 deposition. Trump's lawyers cited other matters of national importance. The BBC told the court that Trump instead attended political events that day and said he had offered availability in January. The broadcaster asked the judge to compel him to confirm a date and answer questions.

The lawsuit concerns a documentary that combined portions of Trump's January 6, 2021, speech. Trump alleged that the editing misled viewers and falsely portrayed his remarks. The BBC apologized for the editing but disputed that there was a basis for a defamation claim.